Fashion
Word on the Street
A tête-à-tête with seven street stoppers in Kochi who share their street fashion stories
Anoodha Kunnath
Director, Curiouser
‘Curiouser’ that she is, Anoodha is charmed by Mattencherry’s crescendo of bustling streets and its handsomely quaint streets. Characteristically anexplorer, she fell in tune with a medley of casual and high-street, influences that she picked up from the sprawling souks and malls in Muscat, where she grew up. Across the sea, her journeys to the rural villages of India instilled in her a sense of nonchalant fashion. “A lot of style has been inspired by indigenous fashion, like mismatched blouses,” she notes. Similar to her compositions and frames, she looks into subtlety in her ensembles. Her anime eyes lit up when she reminisces her fashion crush – her Sudanese neighbour who used to sashay on the streets with her cascading kaftans and matching lipsticks. After relocating to Kerala, her trysts with linen and cottons have gone beyond an acquaintance, and she jests about being in a live-in relationship withher palazzos and cotton dresses. What would she never be caught wearing, she quickly quipped, “Those bright orange Om-print shirts!”
SHANI SHAKI
Photographer and Restaurateur,Qissa
Shani is unapologetically fashionable. Seated comfortably in a pair of paisley trousers and a charcoal gray Fedora, he muses, “You can buy fashion, but never style.” When asked what surprises him with style, he picks men’s impeccable street style in Milan and Ranveer Singh’s fashion audacity. He enjoys sitting at an outdoor café and taking the role of a flâneur, observing the parade of high end fashion on the streets. Being a photographer, travelling has become a part of his agenda. Unlike being ensconced in the walls of hotels, travel to him is where he gets to meet people, engage in conversations and explore streets and local haunts while soaking in styles and fashion from
different cultures. To him the streets flaunt its beauty with the way lights fall on it, something truly photographic to him. One of his favourite treasures from one of his trips abroad was, “A vintage bird cage I bought in Budapest.” Fresh off his memory, Budapest is lined with a stunning meta-story for him to re-discover and re- capture.
ANN BENJAMAN
Chocolatier, A’s Chocolate Factory
While stiletto heels are a constant in high-street fashion, Ann is rather comfortable in a pair of her Prada platform shoes; a style making its way back in trend. She loves the fashion culture of sunny Dubai for its myriad pool of trends and style. Yet, something she feels swears by for summers is her undeniable loyalty for cotton.
KIM HASSAN
Couture Designer, Kim India
He adorns matching buttons to his tartan trousers and claims that his blazing orange hair is all natural. Kim remembers, “Once while on a trip to Vietnam, this girl rushed to me and asked if she could take a selfie with me. She had the hair colour as mine. I guess orange is the new black.” If Kim’s luggage is ever misplaced, you wouldn’t need a passport for identification; you just have to look into his suitcase. Classic beige trousers, crisp white and blue shirts, khakis … and pink socks. Kim is a fan of fashion from the streets of Moscow, Russia, where women and men cleverly pair formal with casual, as well as the ‘effortless’ style in the Philippine. He believes that a fine belt is a shortcut to high fashion, as well as a shiny pair of shoes. What’s a fashion jaywalking crime to him? You will never catch him on the streets wearing “floral pants.”
Preeti Nambiar
Chief Consultant & Founder, Banyan Tree
Her street fashion moment? While in Rome on a holiday once, Preeti spotted a woman sashay down a flight of stairs in a pink dress, her dress flounced in the gentle breeze – the Ellie Saab moment. At For Kochi, she whizzed in a dhoti and a Danish milkmaid braid while catching up for a coffee date with us. She looked straight out of a catalogue from the Marathi Theatre Association. Faux statement, but her attire was far from a faux pas. This funky ethnic outfit was an inspiration by readymade dhotis which characters used in plays to swiftly change their attires. Interestingly, this ensemble was tailored at a temple. Tokyo and Milan’s street fashion is eclectic and electric to her. So watch out for her fearless fashion looks – could be the D&G power prints and opulent accessories look or a traditional chattu-mundu to beat the heat.
Tanya Abraham
Art Curator, Kashi Café
Beyond the art galleries, the streets are books with endless narratives that illustrate antiquity, tradition, art and alsostyle. The wanderlust in Tanya relaxes on the beaches of islands far, far away that also love their art and fashion. Like Thailand and Sri Lanka. She is a fan of aesthetic fashion, such as the batik prints available in these nations. Her jewellery is a collection that constitute a rainbow of materials like bone, stones and glass. In her trove is a set of wooden bangles she picked up on a trip to Vietnam. She’s even put a spin to the traditional Keralite kashumala, stringing small coins on a thin chain and giving it a versatile and contemporary look. What she loves most about street fashion is the chance to catch something out of the blue. “I once saw a woman wear a khadi kurta with white straight cut pants, which I found quite interesting. Another time I saw this woman wearing a necklace that had huge crystal chunks interwoven with jute threads. I just had to go up to her and compliment her; which I did.” Now, that’s street art appeal.
Nuthan Manohar
Yoga Specialist, Me Met Me
As Madonna sings ‘strike a pose’, Nuthan can get into any complex matsyendrasannas (spinal twist yoga pose). She laughs it off by saying she doesn’t like clothes with ‘joints.’ Her fashion code is free-spirited, from sarongs to halter necks and a pair of comfortable footwear. She loves ‘sole wandering’ in the flea markets of Seoul and Hong Kong. She picked her favourite sun dressfrom one of those streets. Nuthan loves the Hanuman yoga wear and
cardigan. Always on t he run, from her yoga studio to workshops, she finds the key to comfort dressing in pants – harem to cotton.
Conceptualisation and Words by Atheena Wilson Photographs by FWD Media
Fashion
The Year of Statement Hat
When Anya Taylor-Joy stepped out at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in Jacquemus’ Le Chapeau Bomba, a delightfully oversized raffia hat it was clear that this accessory had become the season’s ultimate statement piece. The fall 2024 runways echoed this sentiment, with Chanel and Prada showcasing hats as the new must-have. Think of Sarah Jessica Parker’s oversized Maryam Keyhani creation, worn on the set of And Just Like That… earlier this year, or Margaret Qualley donning Chanel’s nautical style at Cannes. These hats are for the main characters who command attention, making a bold statement long before you arrive.
Altuzarra’s fall 2024 collection featured boxy headpieces on some models, each designed to evoke a specific character. “It was about finding joy in wearing a complete look, fully embodying a character,” explains designer Joseph Altuzarra. Interestingly, this was the label’s first foray into hats beyond casual knit and woven styles. ‘We didn’t plan to sell them,’ Altuzarra admits, ‘but they ended up being a hit.
Similarly, milliner Gigi Burris O’Hara has experienced a surge in demand. Although she launched her brand, Gigi Burris, in 2012, she only opened her first store late last year. “During leaner times, when people become more selective with their spending, they seek joy in thoughtful purchases,” she explains.
After years of embracing a more casual style, we’re now gravitating toward all things expressive. Maximalist content creator Sara Camposarcone has been embracing pieces from small brands like Potion23, renowned for its whimsical, witchy hats. “I feel like I can now wear bolder headpieces that complement my extravagant outfits,” Camposarcone shares. “Since discovering vintage fashion, I’ve developed a passion for finding great vintage pillbox hats or a 1920s fascinator.”
Fashion
The Iconic Bags and Their Names
Handbags are more than just functional accessories; they are statements of style and symbols of status. Over the years, several handbags have achieved iconic status, becoming synonymous with luxury and timeless fashion. Here’s a look at some of the most iconic bags and the stories behind their names.
Hermès Birkin
Origin: The Birkin bag was born from a chance encounter between actress and singer Jane Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight in 1981. Birkin mentioned her struggle to find a perfect weekend bag, leading Dumas to design a bag tailored to her needs.
Icon Status: The Birkin is known for its exclusivity, craftsmanship, and high price tag. It has become a symbol of wealth and luxury, often with a waiting list of years.
Chanel 2.55
Origin: Created by Coco Chanel in February 1955 (hence the name), the Chanel 2.55 was revolutionary for its time, introducing the concept of a shoulder bag, freeing women from the inconvenience of clutch bags.
Icon Status: With its quilted leather, chain strap, and distinctive CC lock (added in the 1980s by Karl Lagerfeld), the 2.55 remains a timeless piece, beloved by fashionistas worldwide.
Louis Vuitton Speedy
Origin: Introduced in the 1930s, the Speedy was designed as a smaller version of the Louis Vuitton Keepall. It became particularly popular in the 1960s when Audrey Hepburn requested a smaller version, leading to the creation of the Speedy 25.
Icon Status: Known for its classic monogram canvas and practicality, the Speedy is a versatile bag that has remained a staple in the fashion world for decades.
Dior Lady Dior
Origin: First presented in 1994, the Lady Dior bag was initially known as “Chouchou.” It gained its iconic status when Princess Diana was photographed with it in 1995, leading to its renaming in her honor.
Icon Status: The bag’s signature cannage stitching and dangling Dior charms make it instantly recognizable. It’s a favorite among celebrities and royalty, symbolizing elegance and sophistication.
Gucci Jackie
Origin: Originally called the Fifties Constance, this bag was renamed the Jackie after Jackie Kennedy was frequently photographed carrying it in the 1960s.
Icon Status: The Jackie bag’s hobo shape and piston strap closure make it a timeless piece. It has seen numerous revivals and remains a classic in the Gucci lineup.
Prada Galleria
Origin: Named after the historic Prada boutique in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Galleria bag epitomizes the brand’s heritage and craftsmanship.
Icon Status: With its clean lines, structured shape, and Saffiano leather, the Galleria bag is a symbol of modern elegance and understated luxury.
Fendi Baguette
Origin: Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997, the Baguette was named for its shape, resembling the French baguette loaf, and designed to be carried under the arm.
Icon Status: Popularized by its appearance on the TV show “Sex and the City,” the Baguette became a must-have accessory, famous for its countless variations in colors and materials.
Balenciaga City
Origin: Introduced in the early 2000s, the Balenciaga City bag, also known as the Motorcycle bag, was designed by Nicolas Ghesquière. Its casual yet chic design quickly gained a cult following.
Icon Status: Known for its slouchy silhouette, distinctive hardware, and tassels, the City bag became an icon of the 2000s and continues to be a beloved piece.
These iconic bags have transcended fashion trends, becoming enduring symbols of style, craftsmanship, and luxury. Each bag tells a unique story, adding to its allure and making it a coveted piece for fashion enthusiasts around the world. Investing in one of these iconic bags is not just about owning a stylish accessory but also a piece of fashion history.
Cover Story
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s Traditional Ladakh’s Heritage Attire
As Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding festivities come to an end, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja chose to dress in Ladakh traditional garb. The event featured a number of topics, with India’s rich past being the focus yesterday night. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja emphasized this by dressing in Namza Couture, which was established in 2016 by Padma Yangchan and Jigmet Disket and is renowned for its commitment to Ladakhi fabrics.
The Mogos, a gown-like item with a shimmering zari border and pistachio green brocade, was part of Sonam’s ensemble. She wore a rani-pink shawl called a “Bok,” which is usually made from silk or goat skin and is worn to keep warm by the locals. This outfit was made of silk by Benaras artisans, and it had intricate phoenix embroidery, which stands for knowledge and vigor. It also had a crane image, which stands for prosperity and peace.
Her jewelry selections also honored custom; she wore a neckpiece set with diamonds and an emerald stone in the center. She accessorized this with striking statement rings and copper handcuffs, all tastefully matched with pearl earrings. She chose metallic juttis to complete her look, and she carried a bespoke purse by re-ceremonial.
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